Grade 2 – Cotton Handicap

Race ID:3728.1215

Grade II- Cotton Handicap

Today’s Grade II Cotton Handicap which is being run at Philadelphia Park (just a quick I-95 ride from this reporter’s Delaware compound) has attracted a top flight field. Some of the best three year old fillies in the game are using this Mile and 1/16ths race as a prep for the prestigious upcoming Breeder’s Bowl races. Grab a Philly cheese steak and read on.

1. FARFROMBREWIN – This Florida bred (by Milwaukee Brew) has 15 lifetime races under her belt and is fresh off of an allowance win at today’s distance where she posted a lifetime best 104 speed rating. She has two open stakes wins on her resume but odds makers feel she is up against it against today’s field and have made her the 25-1 long shot in today’s race. She had a nice pressing type running style but has her work cut out for her in today’s race. Regardless she is a very creative breed and has done her sire proud.

2. EQUIVOCATIONS – This beautiful Dynaformer filly runs for the super conglomerate who claims to be more evil than the evil empire. Whether that is true I can not say but I can tell you this gal has amassed over 600k in lifetime earnings and is a beautiful horse. She has shown major ability at this distance most recently two back in the G2 Wooly Mammoth at New Jersey where she posted a lifetime best 109. She has been competing at the highest of levels having done battle in the Louisville Oaks (which she won by 2), Kentucky Oaks (3^rd), Black Middle Flower Stakes (4^th) and Smackdown (4^th). Her class is proven and she’s looking to bounce back big time from a disappointing run in the G3 Ontario BB Oaks.

3. SENSIBLE – After 12 lifetime races this daughter of Johannesburg was 12-10-2-0 a remarkable display of consistency and excellence. In that resume included a win in the Grade 1 Senorita in New Mexico and a 2^nd place finish in the Bluegrass Oaks. This filly clearly has talent but her last two races have been downright frightening finishing a combined 29 lengths behind the respective winners but her connections have reason for hope. She seems to do some of her best running at today’s distance and should be well primed to get back in form in today’s race. Look for her jockey to place her just off the leaders for optimum results.

4. DEHERE DABEAR – First foal out of mare Robot Chicken (hey next one seems dude any time padre get breeding!) has been a major success. Sired by Dehere (I’d love the next one to be by Awesome Again since the Deputy Minister WV inbreeding seemed to work well) she has earned 420k lifetime and has run well in graded events most notably a 2^nd place finish at 9 furlongs in Smackdown behind Black Flag Flying. Her last race was a 10 furlong allowance where she had an easy time of it in winning by 2 3/4’s lengths. Look for a big move late from DABEAR.

5. NEHI ORANGE – Lilbitfarm brings us this beautiful light grey Unbridled’s Song X AP Indy filly who has earned over one million dollars in just 18 lifetime races. If that was not enough she is also the winner of one of my favorite races the Delaware Oaks. When things are going her way she is clear sailing on the front-end which is what she is best at. Her last two races have been lackluster despite posting respectable speed figures so look for her jockey Q Miller to get her out to the front and if he doesn’t Quinton, Quincy Quebert, or whatever is name is, is going to have some explaining to do.

6. SABBATH POINT – What more can be said about this champion filly (Seeking The Gold X Seattle Slew X Damascus) scratch bred owned by afc? She is a known sim commodity who has won legendary races including The Bluegrass Oaks and The Black Middle Flower Stakes. She got her bounce out of the way last race in the Grade 1 Cecil Roo and should return to form for today’s race. She has a nice run along midpack and then explode running style that suits her in almost any race and she should be a major factor today at a distance that she thrives on. Incidentally, call me Scoop Brady but I thought this horse was in Delpenn but noticed the conglomerate is now unaffiliated. I can not cover that story because I’m not the SIM National Enquirer and don’t know the details but if you’re looking for a new place to hang your hat BLAZING SADDLES, is well known for offering political asylum to sim legends, and is a fun place to be. Now back to our regularly scheduled write-up.

7. BATHSHEBA II – This daughter of Rock Hard Ten is lightly raced with just 9 career races under her belt. She is a consistent hard knocker never finishing worse than 5^th and seems to be finding her peak late in her 3 yr old season much as one might expect a Rock Hard Ten filly to. She ran a lifetime 107 and should press the pace enough to ensure a real hot pace. She’s got a ridiculously tough field to break through to the graded winner’s column today but should give a solid run.

8. ENFORCER – The 2^nd of two Florida breeds in this race she is by sire Exchange Rate (Danzig). The true babe in the woods with only 7 lifetime starts she has had instant success quickly jumping to the top of ladder very quickly. Her lifetime best of 105 puts her in the mix here and she has shown she can be competitive in graded events but with her front running style its hard to see her going the distance with all of the early speed in this race. Regardless, I top my hat to vansheen for breeding such a fine horse.

9. DREAMY CAT – Blue grass Cat filly has a royal backend (Northern Dancer X Secretariat) and has been worth every penny of it. She has 860k in lifetime earnings despite winning only two career races both at the age of 2. She is a solid three year old as well as she ran a career best 106 at today’s distance last out. She could very well pick up a share of the purse with her late running style that could pick off tired front runners done in by a hot pace.

10. GAME GIRL – Born in the Far East (by sire Stravinsky) this gal represents Japanese breeds in today’s race. She’s been a consistent 15-2-6-2 so she has lived up to her name by finishing in the money a lot and also has shown ability on both surfaces. Unfortunately for her she is yet another front runner in a field jammed packed with them. One thing to note is that if she can run back to last races 111 2^nd place finish in the Ontario Oaks she could really lead a wicked pace and could help lead to a new track record in this race.

11. SAARAHY- Real nice Saarland filly with 7 wins in 20 lifetime races I believe her trainer is really earning their paycheck. It appears they were experimenting with having this filly rate in her last race which goes against her favored running style of being a front runner. She did relatively well picking up 4^th in the Ontario BB Oaks and if she continues to improve due to her new training instructions she could pick up a share in this race. She will need to run a lifetime best to get that task done however.

12. SLAVE TO AMBITION – Her 114 speed 2 ¼ length romp in the Ontario Oaks was downright filthy and she just has the look of a horse who is hitting her stride right now. Granted the Distorted Humor filly does not have the resume of a lot of the horses in this race but she has been given a nice foundation and just has the look of a future star peaking in the now. I never thought I’d pick against Sabbath Point in this race but seeing this ones profile has me changing my tune. 7-1 seems like a real great price on a hot horse.

13. GRANDSTAND DELIGHT – The 2^nd of two Rock Hard Ten fillies in this race Grandstand Delight has won 2 of the last 8 races and both have come at today’s distance in graded events. Ran a big 112 when she won the Wooly Mammoth 3 back but she has been a tad off in her last two despite running big speed figures. I love her come from the clouds running style which I think is perfectly suited to the race’s likely pace scenario. Stretch has a real nice one here so look to see her solidly in the money in today’s race.

14. HOLY SOUP – Is the only Aussie bred in today’s race by sire Lonhro (Octagonal) she has won graded before at a mile in the Grade 2 Mellow Breeze Handicap. Her recent form has been off as of late and it makes her a toss in such a tough field.

Prediction: Look for a blistering pace scenario one in which several of the talented front runners has the potential to lead the pack. None will make an easy lead setting the race up perfectly for the off the pace talent. Slave to Ambition is my pick for the top slot her recent form is so good and she has the running style to thrive today. Look for the talented Sabbath Point to pick up the show spot with Grandstand Delight or Game Girl to round out the tri.